GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series 01: Body & weapon mechanics Pt 1

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1h14y1S7um/

While the handling of lighter weapons like rapier or longsword can be reminiscent of solo dancing, handling heavier weapons like the quarterstaff, halberd or Zweih?nder is more like partnered dancing or figure skating, where your weapon is your partner, both moving in perfect synchronicity. The need for proper mechanics and timing is greatly emphasized with these heavy and powerful weapons and with good mechanics you more guide your weapon, following it with your body and often just nudging it into a new trajectory, as a dancing partner.

Unfortunately not many practice Meyer's polearms although every Meyer student should. For that reason I have decided to start recording a very informal series of videos showing some of the core principles of the mechanics and footwork involved, to help get people started, possibly digging deeper into techniques and more advanced concepts in an extended series.

So get yourself a staff, either a regular bo, or an ash or oak staff of about 180-22cm x 3cm in size. Oak is more fun as it is heavier, but ash safer for later sparring.

NOTE: One small comment on an artefact in the movement:

When I twist the staff down towards my left I wrongly move the leading foot back while it should be planted on the ground, with the weight at the balls of my feet so the foot can twist with the movement. This is how I teach it.

I am not sure why this artefact came up here, but I hurt my knee quite badly a couple of weeks ago, making it unstable and painful, for which reason I had wrapped it up tightly when we shot the video. Too tightly, even.?

So, when you practice this, try to keep the lead foot in position, not pulling it back as you twist.?

GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series 02: Body & weapon mechanics Pt 2

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1dP411i7PY/

This second video in the Basic Meyer Quarterstaff series brings up a few topics: First of all the stance and angles of the legs, which has been debated a bit with different arguments concerning whether one really should stand and move in such low stances. My firm opinion is that yes, we should. Other martial arts certainly do it with comfort and I absolutely believe it is essential to get the body mechanics of Meyers combat art correct.

Second, the mechanics for transitioning from one side to another with strikes has been debated a bit and while I can see that it is possible to do it with crossed arms on the right side, I don't think that is what Meyer is teaching us, having studied both his images and text extensively for many years, and also having studied other period artwork that appear connected to the same "school" Meyer belonged to. Also, doing it the way I teach it has some distinct advantages, primarily with regards to control and options for continuation.

Third, this video shows the primary use of "edges" in cross-cutting. There are exceptions in the technical examples of course, but as a rule you strike with the head from your left, and with the hook from your right.

"... die halbe Stangen als ein fundament aller langen Wehren...

I will first cover the quarterstaff as a basis of all long weapons..."

- Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer, 1570

Fourth, I also bring up theory that the quarterstaff was also used to learn the use of the Zweih?nder, the 2-hand Great Sword. Meyer seemingly indicates that with the quote above and in a military capacity the Zweih?nder was a polearm and could functionally be replaced with a halberd, serving the same purpose.

If you wish to try this, but don't have access to a halberd, you can just tie some kind of weight to the end. A pound/half a kg is quite enough to realize the need for proper mechanics. A few years ago we regularly used a staff with a weight cuff duct taped to the end, just to let all students get the proper experience. It's an eye opener.

GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series Techniques 01: Ruck & Truck

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1fh411T7vQ/

So, a sidetrack in the series, showing a few basic techniques from Meyer's quarterstaff. These were shot during a workshop held at the 4th Meyer Symposium in Iowa USA, 2016 and the video was kindly provided by the Meyer Freifechter Guild.

Ruck requires a soft or medium bind to work and just won't work with a hard bind. Truck on the other hand works with any bind, and is even better in a medium to hard bind.

GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series Techniques 02: Schnappen & Zucken

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1cM4y1n7km/

Second installment of the techniques section for the Basic Meyer Quarterstaff series, looking at Schnappen & Zucken.

Both these techniques absolutely require that you provoke the opponent into moving his staff to the right, exposing his left side. You can do this with a strike, a push or a thrust. Stepping in aggressively also protects you from a counterthrust, and in the case of Schnappen you are also somewhat covered by your own staff.?

The techniques need to be performed fast and decisively using the small opportunity created. In this demonstration, the techniques are shown somewhat slower and broken into steps, for clarity's sake. In sparring the movements need to be tighter, following each other without pause.

In case he counterthrusts quickly you can also pull the staff back as you strike, parrying with back end held low, shifting towards the Nebenhut stance. This is not shown in the video though.

These were shot during a workshop held at the 4th Meyer Symposium in Iowa USA, 2016 and the video was kindly provided by the Meyer Freifechter Guild.

GFFG Basic Meyer Quarterstaff Series 03: Grips & Transitions

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1hV4y117mw/

This is a provisionary shot of the 3d part of the Basic Meyer Quarterstaff series. This episode focuses on grips and transitions.

Unfortunately the "smart"phone suffered a silicon brain fart which caused it to be confused about what to focus on. A new shot will be made in a few weeks, but for those eager to move on, here it is in its sad and pitiful state.